« Back to Blog
Vietnam Veterans Tell of the Brown Water Navy
Molly Hamilton Oct 02, 2018
Vietnam veterans who served in the Brown Water Navy joined the panel in the latest Patriots Point symposium to share the stories of their service during the Vietnam War along the coast and in the shallow inland waterways. Initiated into service through Operation Game Warden in 1965, the Brown Water Navy was critical to patrolling the waterways of Vietnam to intercept ammunition being moved into place and to prevent enemy troops from moving throughout the country.
The veterans of the Gamewardens Association, the oldest, continuously-operating Brown Water Navy veterans group in the United States represents the men who served Naval Task Force 116. These veterans served on the panel for this event, including:
– NCCM James D. Davy
– CWO2 Gerald Gandy
– Captain Allan Weseleskey
The men talked about the extreme danger of their mission and how they relied on the speed of the PBR and the support of the Hueys provided by the Seawolves to keep them alive. The experiences in Vietnam have bonded them together for a lifetime. As one of the panelists said, “We came as strangers, and we left as brothers.”
A gallery of photos from the event is at the bottom of this post. To watch the recorded event in its entirety, check out the Livestream link below:
-
- Brown Water Navy Symposium held on 27 September 2018
-
- Panelist Gerald Gandy listens to the moderator
-
- Cpt. Allen Weseleskey listens to the panel
-
- Panelist Jim Davy tells a story to the crowd
-
- Panelist Gerald Gandy
-
- Brown Water Navy Symposium held on 27 September 2018
-
- Brown Water Navy Symposium held on 27 September 2018
-
- Brown Water Navy Symposium held on 27 September 2018
-
- Brown Water Navy Symposium held on 27 September 2018
-
- Brown Water Navy Symposium held on 27 September 2018
-
- Panelists (l to r) Allen Weseleskey, Gerald Gandy, and Jim Davy alongside moderator Patriots Point Education Director Keith Grybowski
Share:
« Previous Post
Unharmed By Florence, Patriots Point To Reopen Tuesday, Sept 18
Next Post »
Veterans and Friends of the USS Laffey Attend Memorial Service